Forest Vegetation types - IH7

Concept: This early to mid-successional Vegetation Type (VT) has an overstory dominated by red maple and lesser amounts of several shade-tolerant associates, possibly including sugar maple, yellow birch and/or red spruce. IH7 is also distinguished by its diverse herb layer, which is indicative of mesic Nova Scotia hardwood forests. Red maple / Hay-scented fern – Wood sorrel usually follows stand-replacing disturbances events such as fire, windthrow or clearcutting, but it can also result from partial harvesting within hardwood forests.

Vegetation: Red maple is the dominant overstory tree, accompanied by a lesser amount of sugar maple, yellow birch, red spruce and/or beech. The shrub layer is moderately developed and includes regenerating trees (including balsam fir), fly-honeysuckle and striped maple. The herb layer is dominated by several species of ferns, most notably hay-scented fern which can be an aggressive competitor in open, disturbed sites. Other common species include New York fern, evergreen wood fern, rose twisted stalk, Indian cucumber root, wood aster, wood sorrel, bristly and shining club-moss, and various violet species. The bryophyte layer is poorly developed.

Environmental Setting: IH7 is associated with fresh to moist, nutrient medium to rich soils of variable texture. This VT is found scattered throughout Nova Scotia, but is particularly common on upper slope positions within the Nova Scotia Uplands ecoregion. This VT is common in New Brunswick and on Prince Edward Island. It is the most widespread red maple forest in the Maritimes.

Ecological Features: This early successional closed canopy hardwood forest typically develops following stand-level disturbance. Regeneration is by seed or coppice. The longevity and relatively high shade tolerance of red maple facilitate its persistence into later successional stages. Red maple regenerates quickly as coppice and is a favoured browse by both deer and moose. It flowers before most other spring plants, providing one of the most important early and abundant pollen and nectar sources used by a wide range of insects. With increased light availability caused by canopy disturbances, hay-scented fern can be very invasive and spread aggressively, which restricts tree regeneration.

Hay-scented fern

Distinguishing Features: This hardwood forest on well drained soils is dominated by red maple. On better sites sugar maple, yellow birch and beech are present. Extensive hay-scented fern cover is diagnostic for this unit. New York fern and evergreen wood fern are also common.